Stop/Start Engine Restart for Turn Lane Steering Assist
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stop/start vehicles face challenges in providing power steering assist promptly when the engine is automatically stopped, as existing systems restart the engine only when the brake pedal is released, delaying power steering availability, especially in turn lane situations where quick turns are anticipated.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a control method that detects the vehicle's location in a turn lane using traffic data, such as traffic light status, turn signal status, or data about other vehicles, to automatically restart the engine before the brake pedal is released, ensuring power steering assist is available prior to the turn.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the engine is automatically stopped to conserve fuel, then fuel consumption is reduced, but power steering assist becomes unavailable until the engine is restarted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of turn lane conditions and proactively restarts the engine before the driver needs power steering assist. The control system monitors vehicle position, traffic light status, and turn signal indicators to anticipate upcoming turns, then commands engine restart in advance to ensure power steering is available when the driver turns the steering wheel.
2Device complexity
If the engine is restarted only when the brake pedal is released, then the stop/start system operates simply, but power steering assist is delayed in turn lane situations
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs multiple feedback sensors to monitor vehicle conditions including position in turn lane, traffic light status, turn signal activation, and brake pedal position. This feedback mechanism enables the control system to make intelligent decisions about when to restart the engine, balancing system complexity with the need for timely power steering availability.
3Ease of operation
If the engine is restarted earlier in turn lanes, then power steering assist is available promptly, but the stop/start system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary assessment of turn lane conditions using available sensor data before commanding engine restart. By evaluating vehicle position, traffic light status, and turn signal indicators in advance, the system can proactively restart the engine with appropriate lead time, ensuring power steering is ready without excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An engine of a stop/start vehicle, after the engine has been automatically stopped, may be commanded to automatically restart in response to detecting that the vehicle is in a turn lane based on traffic data in a vicinity of the vehicle such that the engine is automatically restarted before a brake pedal is released and a steering wheel is turned.